Adjustable attachment for belts and the like



Sept., .22, 1936.6 N. sTA'THAM ATTACHMENT FOR BLTSl AND THE -JTKE ADJUSTABLE Filed May 29, '1933 Y. .Af R

W ,0M-w N mM R.

)d l. m \w lm WA WY 1.5 +1 Y N Q l @ff N. STATI-IAM l 2,054,840 LTS AND THE LIKE sept. 22,*1936.

4 sheets-sheet 2y ADJUSTA BLE ATTACHMENT FOR BE Filed may 29, '1935 1" il? @1910 a s@ 1 6J lm? f :ai

s wg; I INVENTOR 50% iw /V my, @EL 5mm/1M 58 7g BY v y@ ATTORNEY -sept, 22, 193

6- N. sTATHAM 2,054,840

ENT FOR BELTS AND THE LIKE ADJUSTABLE TTAGHM 4 sheets-sheet. :s

Fld -May 29, 1955 l l l lNvEN-oR ...-55 '7a 7g y/ly STAT/MM sept.2.2,f1936.- N. STATHAM a 2,054,840

ADJUSTABLE ATTACHMENT FOR BELTS AND THE YLTKE Filed May 29, 1955 4 sums-sheet# @iig/Z g 104 i l 95 102 Y 1 J /103 y I y Z13 106 107 124 10.5 G Jg@ J0? ff j 0 @2' .95 104 105 J10107 102 lg '1997 T* 'a'i ,1 mVENToR.

1 No5/ 5mn/A14 I y BY l l mmm www l M 1114 'furrow/EVSV detail hereinafter,

' Noel Statham. Irvington-upon-nuason, N. Y. Application May 29, 193s. sensi No. 673,353 sA claims. 4(ci. 24-206) `My present invention relates to adjustable supporting and fastening devices and more particularly to such as are adapted to vary or adjust the length of a number of articles .of wearing apparel, such as belts, garters, Suspenders and l, the like, although not necessarily restrictedA to these articles, andaims to devise devices of the general characterV specified which `aresimple in construction, and which are highly eiiicient and convenient for the use of fastening or adjusting the lengths of articles such as those above enumerated.V Otherobjects and advantages of Athe .devices of the present invention, particularly as exemplified in the following illustrative embodiments of the same, will in part be pointed out in and to those skilled in the invention relates.

Inthe accompanying yspecification I shall describe, and in the lannexed drawings show three illustrative embodiments of the present invention. It is, however, to be clearly understood, that my invention is not. -limited'to the'speciiic embodiments thereof herein shown and described for purposes of illustration only.

Referring to the drawings in which I have shown the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention: Fig. 1 is a perspective View ofa belt provided art to which the present with a' length varying or adjusting device made in accordancewith one form of the present in- Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a portionof the belt to which is attached a; resilient track member constituting a part of the first form of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of a portion of the belt bearing an adjusting portion constituting the remaining part ofthe first form of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the. rear of the same portion of the device.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along line 5-5 of'Fig. 1. v

Fig. 6y is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View taken alongline 6-.6 ofFig. 1,.

Fig. 7 isa perspective view of a belt provided `with the second form of the aforesaid illustrative` embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is an'enlarg'ed edge view of thesame.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along linel `ID--Hl of Fig. 7.

will in part, be obvious the interior en d portion `I9 is further provided likewise become Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view taken along lI-II of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12'is a perspective view of a belt provided with the third form of the aforesaid illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 6

Fig. 13 is an enlarged edge viewvof the same.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary, enlarged, longitudinal sectional view taken along line IL -Il of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary, enlarged front eleva-` 10 tional view of a portion of the belt shown in Fig. 12, provided with track and operating members of the present form of this invention;

Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view taken along line lli- I6 of Fig. 15. 15 f Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a belt .provided with the fourth form of the aforesaidillustrative embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged view of the same.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional 20 view, taken along line Illi9 of Fig. 17; and Fig. 20 is a transverse sectional rview taken along line 20-20 o f Fig. 19. Referring now more in detail to the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention and with particular reference Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive showing the first form thereof, the` numeral I5 generally designates a belt or similar article such as mentionedI in the earlier portions of this specification, such belt having what might be termed an interior end portion I6 and an exterior end portion i1. The outer surface` of the interior end portion Ilisis provided with a track through and by means of which, in association with rivets 2|, the track member I8 is secured to with a series of equi-dis-` tantly spaced transverse slots 22 the purpose of which will become apparentasthe detailed description progresses. 'I hese slots are formed by shearing the metal and.' punching 4the 'tabs 23 45 rearwardly in thev direction of the posts 20 all as very clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

The posts 20 and tabs/23 restagainst the exterior ,surface of the interior end portion I6 `of the belt so as to maintain the track member I 8 50 spaced away from the belt,'the space being designated by the numeral 24 the/punaise` of which will apparent as this description progresses.

' If shall now describe the adjusting member co- 66 I6 of the belt. The strip 40,

-face of the exterior end 2 operable with the track member I6 for the purpose of .varying or adjusting the length of the belt I6. Such adjusting member is generally designated by reference character 26 vand comprises a plate 26 adapted to be secured, in a manner hereinafter stated. to the interior surportion I1 of the belt. Such plate is provided with oppositely disposed channel guides 21 which are formed by shearing the plate 26, punching the metal sc sheared and thereafter forming the same into the channels clearly illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The Die sheared, punched out so as to opening 26, the metal thus punched out presenting ears 29 extending in the to that in which the channel Pivotally mounted intermediate the ears 29, as at 60, is a ratchet member 3l having the interior slot-engaging bevelled end 62 and the exterior operating end 33, 4the ears 29 and the ratchet member 3i carried thereby extending upwardly through an -opening 34 in tion i1 -of the belt. In order to maintain the ratchet member 3l in a normal operating posiguides 21 extend.

non, as indicated in m11 lines m Fig. e of the` drawings. I provide a flat spring 35 the upwardly bent end 36 of which is adapted, as will later be apparent, to always return the ratchet member 6l to its normal operating position, the spring being carried by the plate 26 and being secured theretoas by having a tongue 61 formed integrally with the plate and bent back upon the plate so as to pinch the spring in a fixed position.

The device is completed by anf outer plate or escutcheon 66 terior surface of the exterior end portion l1 of the belt, in substantial alignment with the plate 26 by means of tabs 66 extending through the exterior end portion of the belt and engaging over offset or depressed portions 46 formed in the n plate 26.

l words, loosen,

of the operating portion 16 This completes the description of the first iorm of the devices of the present invention. It is believed that the mode of operation will be obvious from the foregoing description but for the cake of clarity, the same may be brieily summarized'as follows: After the track member I6 and operating portion 26 of the devices of the present invention are fixed in place as heretofore described, the belt or other article provided with such devices is ready for use.4 The belt is engaged about the body of the wearer ventional manner and the exterior end portion I1 is slid over the interior end portion I6 in such manner as to cause the engagement of the channel guides 21 with the track member I6.. As the belt is drawn tighter, 32 `of the spring pressed ratchet 6i is adapted to freely` slide over the slots 22 of the strip i9 and the tightening is continued until the proper amount of slack has been taken up. As soon as the sliding movement 66 causes the slot-engaging bevelled end 62 of the ratchet 3l to engage in the nearest adjacent slot 22 of the strip I9. In view of this engagement it will now be impossible for the exterior end portion l1 to slide overthe interior end portion I6 of the A that in which it was previously' moved, in other thus effectively locking the belt in its adjusted position. If it is desired to open the belt, the operator pivots the ratchet 3l by means 33 to move the slot-engaging end u of the ratchet out ci the slots:

te 26 is additionally sheared and the metal l present a centralV direction opposite the exterior end por- Y adapted to be secured to the ex in a conthe interior bevelled end 1 is discontinued, the spring' belt in the direction opposite to' with which it was engaged, this action being against the urge of the spring 96, and thus the entire operating portion 26 of the devices of the present invention will be movable in the direction opposite to that in which it was previously moved to free the exterior end portion i1 of the belt from the interior end portion thereof.

This completes the description of the mode of operation of the first form of the devices of the 'present invention and I shall now describe the second of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention.

Referring now more in detail to the second of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present-invention and with particular reference to Figs. 1 to 11 inclusive of the drawings, the numeral 66 generally designates a belt having the opposed end portions 6I and 62. The end portion 62 is provided with what might be termed a catch portion 66 and the end 6| is provided with what might be termed a keeper portion 64. 'I'he catch portion 63 consists of a rear plate 66 having the end portions 66 thereof bent upwardly at right angles and between which there is pivotally mounted as at 61 a front plate 66 the rear edge of which is bent downwardly at right angles and .,provided with teeth 69 adapted to bite into the end portion 62 of the belt 66 all as clearly shown in Fig. 9v of the drawings. Constituting an extension of the lplate 66 is a resilient strip 69 the width of which is considerably less than that of the plate 66 such strip being'provided with a line of apertures 6I.

'Ihe keeper portion 64 consists of a plate 62 the side edges 66 of which are bent upwardly at right angles and are adapted to pivotally support therebetween, as at 64, another plate 66 the rear edge of which is bent downwardly at right angles and provided with teeth 66 adapted to bite into the end portion 6l of the belt 66, the mode of fastening the keeper portion 64 tothe end 6I being l similar to the mode of fastening the catch portion 62 to the end 62. The plate 62 is bent back upon itself so as to 61 and the side edges of the plate 61 are bent back upon themselves, as at 66, and, at the bend between the plates 62 and 61, I provide a slot 69 bounded by flared lips 16 plates 62 and 61 and the facing edges of the bent back portions 66 of the plate 61 present a passageway lireceptive of the resilient metal strip 69 of the catch member 62.

Riveted, as at 12, to the keeper member 64 is a spring plate 16 provided with a locking projection 14 the upper end of which is bevelled as at 16, the locking projection 'extending through openings in the plates 62 and 6,1 and being adapted to cross, the path of the passageway 1|.' The free end of the spring 16 is provided with an operating member or post 16 adapted to extend through openings in the plates 62, 6 1 and 66 all as clearly shown in the Fig. 10of the drawings.

This completes the description of the second form of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments oi the devices of the present invention. It is believed that the mode of operation and' use of thi same is obvious to those skilled in the art to whicl -the present invention relates, but for the purposl of clarity, the -same may be briefly summarizes as follows: After the k r member* 64 and thi catch member 63 have been fastened, respectivel; on the ends 6i and 62 of the belt 60, the belt is i1 condition to be used. It is applied about th wearer in the conventional manner and the resil ien't strip 60 is guided through passagewa so that the spaced.

1| oi' the keeper member 84. In view of the bevelled end 15 on the locking projection 14, the strip v 60 can slide freely throughthe passage 1| in the direction corresponding to the tightening of the .belt but as soon as ythe tightening process is discontinued, the locking projection 14 is urged by the spring plate` 13A into engagement with the nearest opening 8| of the strip 80. 'I'he whole is therefore locked securely in place. When it is desired to open the belt the operating post 16 is depressed thus disengaging the locking post 14 from the opening 6| with which it was engaged and the resilient strip 60 may be withdrawn from the passageway 1| of the keeper member 54. VThis completes the description of the mode of opera-4 tion and vuseof the second form of the illustrative embodiments of the devices of the-present invention. v

I shall now describe the third form of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the same being illustrated in Figs. 12 to 16 inclusive of the drawings.

In these figures, the numeral 77 generally designates a belt having an interior end portion 18,

' and an exterior end portion 19. Secured to the exterior surface of the'interior end portion 18ct the belt 11 is a track member 80, such track member consisting of a resilient strip of metal from which is integrally formed a central raised portion 82 constituting the track proper. Such central raised portion 82 is provided on its upper l surface with a multiplicity of serrations 83, which toty are spaced from each other by transverse slots 84. Secured to the exterior end portion 19 of the belt 11, as by means of the loop 85,-is an operating member generally designated by reference character 88, such operating memberbeing adapted in a manner herein more fully explained to cooperate with the track member 80 to adjust the effective length of the belt 11.

The operating member 88 consists of a plate 81, the side edges of which are channeled.' as at 88. so as to embrace about the central raised portion 82 of the track member 80, such plate 81 also having struck up therefrom, on its outer surface, oppositely disposed ears 88', the punching out of such ears presenting an opening 89 in the plate.

`Pivotally mounted intermediate the ears 88' is a slot-engaging member 90, the inner end 9| of which is adapted to engage in the slots 94 of the track member 80 and the outer end 92 of which is adapted to be manipulated at the will oi' the@ wearer of the belt as will hereinafter become apparent. The slot-.engaging member 90 is completed byrearwardly directed locking lugs 93 which are adapted when the member. 90 is in one.

' the channel guides 88,

of its adjusted positions, to engage over land clampv as will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.

This completes the description of the third of the aforesaid Aillustrative embodiments of the present invention. It is believed that the mode of operation anduse of this form of the present invention will be obvious from the foregoing description, but for the sake of clarity the same may be briey summarized as follows: After the track member 80 and the operating member 88 have beenfastened respectively-lon the ends l18 and 19 of the belt 11, the belt isv in condition -to lbe used. It is placed about the wearer in the conventional manner and the exterior end portion 18 is slid over the interior end portion. in such manner as to cause the engagement of channel guides I8 with the centrai raised portion ,82 of the track member 80. At this time, the operating end 92 of the slotengaglng member 90 is raised so as to maintain the end 9| of such member out of the path of the slots 84. The belt is drawn about the wearer and the desired amount of the slack is taken up; and Cas soon as the beltis as tight as the wearer desires, the. operating end 92 of the member 90 is depressed so as to cause the slot-engaging end 9| to engage in the nearest adjacent slot 84 of the central raised portion 82 of the track member 80. In'view of the clamping of the lugs 93 about the channel guides88, the member 90 is secured in place and the operating member 86 cannot be moved in either direction over the track 80.

` aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the same being illustrated in Figs. 17 to 20 inclusive of the drawings.

In said figures numeral 94 generally designates a belt having the interior end portion 95 and the exterior end portion 96 Secured to the interior surface of the exterior end portion 496 is a track member 91, such track member being riveted to the end portion 96. as at 98 and consisting of a resilient strip oi.4 metal 99 provided with the multiplicity of separately spaced transverse slots |00. The track member '91 is maintained in lspaced relation t6 the `end portion 96 of the belt 94 by means of a strip 0| of leather or any other suita-` ble material, this strip being narrower than the track member so as to permit the side edges of the track member to extend beyond the side edges of the strip for a purpose whlchwill later be more clearly understood. .i

Secured tothe exterior surface of the interior end portion 95 of the belt 94, as by means of rivets |02 is an operating member generallydesignatedby .reference character |03, such operating member being adapted, in a manner hereinafter more fully explained-to cooperate withA the track member 91 to adjust the effective length of the belt 94. The operating member |09 consists of a plate |04 having sheared and struck up therefrom channel guides |05 adapted to embrace the free edges ofthe track member 91, the member |03 further being sheared to presentan opening |08, the metal so sheared from the plate comprising a tongue |01, the free end |08 of which is bent, as clearly shown in Fig. 19 of the drawings in such manner as to be engageable in any one of the slots |00 of the track member 91, the end |08 being bent in such manner that the operating member |03 is free to move. over the track member 91 in one direction but being unable to move in the oppOsite direction unless the end |08 is disengaged from the slot |00 of the track Amember 91 with which it had vpreviouslybeen engaged. 'I'he plate |04`is further sheared and the metal sheared is struck up so as to provide a guide l|09 between tion. It is .about the wearer and the slack is taken up, the shape of the end |08 of as to move the same away from the plate |08 thus moving the end |08 of such tongue out of the path of the track member.91.-

The present illustrative embodiment of the present invention is completed by a pair of keeper members ||3 and ill carried by the interior end portion 95 of the belt 94. This completes thedescription of the fourth form of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invenbelieved that the mode of operation and use of this form of the present invention is obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates, but for the purpose of clarity, the same may be briey summarized as follows: v After the track member 91 and the operating member |03 have been adjusted respectively on 'the ends 96 and 95 of the belt 94, the belt is in condition to be used. It is positioned about the wearer in the conventional manner and the ex- -terior end portion 98 is slid over the interior end portion 95, through the keepers ||8 and ||4 in such manner as to cause the channel guides |05A of the operating member |03 to embrace the free edges of the track member'91, extendingbeyond the central leather strip 'Ihe belt is drawn desired amount of the the tongue |01 is being such as previously indicated, as to permit'the operating member |08 to freely move over the track member 91 in the direction of the taking up of the slack. As soon as the belt is as tight as the wearer desires, the end |08 of the tongue |01 will in view of the resilient character of the tongue |01 engage in the nearest adjacent slot thus locking thebelt in place and preventing the same from loosening. When it is desired to loosen the belt, pressure is applied to the end ||2 of the cam member ||0 to slide the same upwardly, thus bringing the cam surface with the .tongue |01 to raise the latter away 'from the body p ortion of the lplate |04. Such movement also moves the end |08 of the tongue |01 out of engagement with the slot |00 of the strip 98 with which it had previously been engaged and in so doing permits the |09 to be'moved over the track member 91 in the direction opposite to that in which it was moved during the taking up of the slack. Thisv completes the description of the mode of operation and use'of the fourth form of the devices of the present invention.

This likewise completes the description' of all of the aforesaid illustrative embodimentsof the devices of the present invention and their modes of operation and use. It will be obvious from such description that the devices of the present invention are characterized by their wide range of applicability and their uniformity in construction, assembly and operation. Other superiorities of the devices of thepresent invention in construction, mode of assembly and use will readily` occur to those skilled in the art to which; the present invention relates.

What I claim as my invention is:

' 1. An adjustable fastening device comprising a pair of cooperating members, one of said members consisting of a track and the other of said members consisting of a pair of plates one of which carries a pivotally mounted engaging member having a bevelled end portion engaged with said track to permit relative movement between said cooperating 'members in one direction yonli! and an operating end portion extending through operating member |00 of'the strip 99,V

about an engagement of 2. An adjustable fastening device comprising a pair of cooperating members, `one of said members consisting of a track having a multiplicity of separately spaced slots and the other of said members consisting of a pair of plates one of which carries a pivotally mounted engaging member having a bevelled end portion engaged with the slots of said track to permit relative movement between said cooperating members in one direction only and an operating end portion extending through the other of said plates for manipulation of said engaging member to permit free relative movement between said cooperating members.

3. An adjustablefastening device comprising a pair of cooperating members, one of said members consisting of a track and the other of said members consisting of a pair of plates one of which is provided with channel `guides slidable ,over said track and carries a pivotally mounted engaging member having a bevelled end portion engagedl with said track to permit relative movement vbetween said cooperating members in oneis provided with channel guides slidable over said track and carries a pivotally mounted engaging membei having a bevelled end portion engaged 'with the slots of said track to permit relative movement between saidv cooperating members in one direction only and an operating end portion extending throughthe other of vsaid plates for manipulation of said engaging member to permit free relative movement between said cooperating members.

5. An adjustable fastening device comprising a pair of cooperating members, oneof said members consisting of a track and the other of said members consisting of a pair of plates one of which carries a pivotally mounted engaging member having a bevelled end portion engaged with said track to permit relative movement between said cooperating members .in one direction only and an operating end portion extending through the other of said plates for manipulation of said engaging member to permit free. relative movement between said cooperating members, said second plate being provided with an opening receptive of said operating end portion and being further provided with lugs for securing said plate to said first plate. A

6. An adjustable fastening device comprising a pair of cooperating members, one of said members consisting of a track having a multiplicity of separately spaced slots and the other of said members consisting of a pair of plates one of which carries a pivotally mounted engaging member having a bevelled end portion engaged with the slots of `-said track'to permit relative movement between saidcpoperating members in one direction only 'and an"operating end portion extending through the other oi' said plates for manipulation of said engaging member-'ipermit free relative movement between said cooperating members, saidsecond plate'being provided with an opening receptive of said operating end portion and being further provided with lugs vfor securing s aid plate to said first plate.

7. in adjustable fastening device comprising a pair of cooperating members, one oi'. said members consisting/ of a track and the other of said members consisting of a pair of plates one of which is provided with chsenelvguides slidable with lugs for securing said plate to said rst plate. l

8. 'An adjustable fastening device comprising a i 'pair-of cooperating members, one of said members consisting of a track having a multiplicity of separately spaced slots and the other of said members consisting of a pair of plates one of which is provided with channel'guides slidable over said track and carries a pivotally mountedl engaging member having a bevelled end portion engaged with the slots of said track ,to permit members in one direction only and an operating end portion extending through the other oi' said engaging members to permit tree relative movement 'between said cooperating members, said ceptive of saidoperating end portion and being further provided with lugs for securing saidl plate to said first plate.

l second platebeing provided with an opening re- NOEL s'rA'rHM'a. zo

relative movement. between said cooperating .1- 

